..."Our customers definitely want to offer the leading flavors, but on the other hand, they want to try something different, something you would never expect. So we're trying to meet both of those needs," says John Larsen, co-owner and president, Marathon Ventures...

The company’s facility in Bellevue is part of the redevelopment of Ft. Crook Road and they have worked with local and county officials to bring new life to the corridor. “We are proud to be a part of this community and feel blessed to take an active role in creating new job opportunities,” commented Larsen.

Marathon Ventures, Inc. is a full-service processor and packager of a variety of consumable products including snack nuts, mixes, gourmet coffees and popcorn. Since its inception in 1915 with the Herman’s Nut House brand, it has maintained a growing family of consumer brands including Pear’s Gourmet Coffee and Maggie’s Gourmet Popcorn in addition to packaging many well-known store brands. Marathon Ventures, Inc.’s products can be found in retail and restaurant establishments in all 50 states and it currently services many Fortune 500 companies.

Omaha, NE, November 18, 2011 - - Marathon Ventures, Inc., parent company to Herman’s Nuts, Pear’s Gourmet Coffee and Maggie’s Gourmet Popcorn, is celebrating the opening of its 3,000 square foot Fresh Roast Store at 901 Ft. Crook Rd. North with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. “This will be our second Fresh Roast Store location and joins our flagship store at 6171 Grover St.,” stated John S. Larsen, President of Marathon Ventures, Inc. “This is part of our overall redevelopment plan which encompasses over 100,000 square feet of space dedicated to the new store, our offices and our expanded operations, and we wanted to have our doors open to the public by the holidays to shop our festively decorated Fresh Roast Store. We want our store to become the destination for specialty food items including a full line of gifting packages and holiday tins, trays, and tubs filled with a wide selection of nuts, chocolate covered nuts, peanut brittles, caramel popcorns drizzled with chocolate and holiday coffees.”

The goal of the retail shop is to provide a destination for people looking for specialty products while supporting the local retailers who sell Marathon’s family of brands in their stores by educating the public that their nuts, coffee and popcorn are fresh roasted and packaged daily here in the local market. Both Fresh Roast locations are open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with possible extended hours throughout the holidays, with the Bellevue location open for business after the November 18 ribbon cutting ceremony.

There has been much anticipation by the City of Bellevue for this new facility which was formerly a Gordman’s building that was purchased by Larsen and business partner Mike Sortino. “We are excited about being a part of the redevelopment of Fort Crook Road and have enjoyed working with local city and county officials to bring new life to the Fort Crook Road corridor,” Larsen stated.

Marathon Ventures, Inc. is a full-service processor and packager of a variety of consumable products including baking and snack nuts, mixes, gourmet coffees and popcorn. Since its inception in 1915 with the Herman’s Nut House brand, it has maintained a growing family of consumer brands including Pear’s Gourmet Coffee and Maggie’s Gourmet Popcorn in addition to packaging many well-known store brands. Marathon Ventures, Inc.’s products can be found in retail establishments in all 50 states and it currently services many Fortune 500 companies.